Improvement in hog-pens



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

PHILIP M. KETRING, OF NAPOLEON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT m H'OG-PENS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186.040, dated January 9, 1877 application filed April 13, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP M. KETRING, of Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful apparatus for feeding, housing, and bathing hogs, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a building divided into compartments, as shown by the accompanying drawing, viz:

Figure l is an exterior view of the building, and Fig. 2 a sectional view.

In Fig. 2, n is the sleeping-room j, the main room, which is subdivided into the bath or wallowing box I) and the feeding-box e, the remainder of the room being what may be termed the privy. The compartments 1) and e in Fig. 2 are separated from each other and from the remaining portion of the room by the low partitions and d, which are from nine to twelve inches high, allowing the hogs to easily climb over, either to wallow or-to feed.

In what may be called the loft, or second story-whioh is like that of any other building, and Where the feed is storedis located the tank a, Fig.1, immediately over the bath or wallowing box I), Fig. 2. This tank may be tilled by a force-pump, or from the roof, as has long been done. A cock, 0, allows the water to drop or run into the bath-box I) beneath. An overflow of the bath-box is prevented by the outletf, through which the water passes into the feeding-box e, moistening the corn or other feed, which is supplied from the loft above by the ordinary methods. An overflow of the feeding-box is prevented by the outlet 9, made at the proper elevation.

Both the compartments 0 and b are cleansed by allowing the accumulations to pass through proper openings in the floor b and 1', which are ordinarily kept closed by plugs.

The sleeping-room is entered through the door M in the partition 0, and may be provided with straw. Ventilation is secured by means of the windows S S, Fig. 1, situated high enough to prevent the escape of the hogs.

In Fig. 1, w is the window or door through which feed is elevated to the loft.

The entrance from the outside is by the door is, Fig. 2, hung by hinges at the top, thus always being closed, and swinging inwardly oroutwardly. Any one acquainted with the habits of hogs will at once perceive how readily they 'will learn to pass through this door, t'owls being effectually excluded. and geese cannot annoy them.

The privyj is cleansed of the excrement accumulating there through the door It, Fig. 2. However filthy hogs are usually regarded, they invariably seek a particular part or end of the pen in which they are confined to deposit their excrement; and however absurd to one unacquainted with the habits of these animals such an arrangement of separate compartments may seem, yet it is surprising how readily they will apply the various divisions of the structure to the exact uses for which they are designed.

The advantages of such a building are the great saving in the labor of feeding and in the quantity of feed consumed. Hogs require less feed when comfortably and cleanly housed. The results of this treatment are as readily apparent as is similar care in the case of horses and cattle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The feeding and sheltering apparatus, or house for hogs, consisting of the sleepingapartment a, Fig. 2, the apartment j, subdivided into the bath-box b and the feeding-box e, (the remainder being the privy,) provided with the outlets b and r, and the vents for overflow, d and 9, also the swinging door 70, as set forth and described in the above specification.

Witness my hand and seal this April 10th, 1876.

PHILIP M. KETRING. [LS-1 In presence of- W. STEPHENSON, R. B. HELLER. 

